tilt

⁴tilt

verb

Definition of TILT

transitive verb

1

: to cause to have an inclination

2

a : to point or thrust in or as if in a tilt <tilt a lance> b : to charge against <tilt an adversary>

intransitive verb

1

a : to move or shift so as to lean or incline : slant b : to incline, tend, or become drawn toward an opinion, course of action, or one side of a controversy

2

a : to engage in a combat with lances : joust b : to make an impetuous attack <tilt at social evils>

— tilt·able \ˈtil-tə-bəl\ adjective

— tilt·er noun

Origin of TILT

Middle English tulten, tilten to fall over, cause to fall, from Old English *tyltan, *tieltan, akin to Old English tealt unstable, tealtian to totter

First Known Use: 1594